Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor explained

corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1
Hgncid:2357
Symbol:CRHR1
Altsymbols:CRHR
Entrezgene:1394
Omim:122561
Refseq:XM_001128344
Uniprot:P34998
Chromosome:17
Arm:q
Band:12
Locussupplementarydata:-q22
corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2
Hgncid:2358
Symbol:CRHR2
Entrezgene:1395
Omim:602034
Refseq:NM_001883
Uniprot:Q13324
Chromosome:7
Arm:p
Band:21
Locussupplementarydata:-p15

Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors (CRHRs), also known as corticotropin-releasing factor receptors (CRFRs) are a G protein-coupled receptor family that binds corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).[1] There are two receptors in the family, designated as type 1 and 2, each encoded by a separate gene (and respectively).

Function

CRHRs are important mediators in the stress response.[2] Cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland known as corticotropes express the receptors and will secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) when stimulated. This binding of corticotropin releasing-hormone (CRH) activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, one of the two parts of the fight-or-flight response to stress.[3] CRHRs are also present in other brain areas such as the amygdala, locus coeruleus and hippocampus. Within the hippocampus, the CRHR1s are most abundant, residing mainly on the pyramidal cells of CA1 and CA3. Chronic activation of CRHR1s by CRH induced by early life stress has been shown to underlie memory deficits and learning impairments and anxiety in adulthood.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Hauger RL, Grigoriadis DE, Dallman MF, Plotsky PM, Vale WW, Dautzenberg FM . International Union of Pharmacology. XXXVI. Current status of the nomenclature for receptors for corticotropin-releasing factor and their ligands . Pharmacol. Rev. . 55 . 1 . 21–6 . 2003 . 12615952 . 10.1124/pr.55.1.3 . 1572317 .
  2. Grammatopoulos DK, Chrousos GP . Functional characteristics of CRH receptors and potential clinical applications of CRH-receptor antagonists . Trends Endocrinol. Metab. . 13 . 10 . 436–44 . 2002 . 12431840 . 10.1016/S1043-2760(02)00670-7 . 19751772 .
  3. Aguilera G, Wynn PC, Harwood JP, Hauger RL, Millan MA, Grewe C, Catt KJ . Receptor-mediated actions of corticotropin-releasing factor in pituitary gland and nervous system . Neuroendocrinology . 43 . 1 . 79–88 . 1986 . 3012395 . 10.1159/000124513.